Ayurveda originated in
India long back in pre-vedic period. Rigveda
and Atharva-veda ( 5000 years B.C.), the earliest
documented ancient Indian knowledge have references on health and
diseases. Ayurved texts like Charak Samhita and
Sushruta Samhita were documented about 1000 years B.C. The
term Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life'. It deals elaborately with
measures for healthful living during the entire span of life and its
various phases. Besides, dealing with principles for maintenance of
health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures
to combat illness. These principles of positive health and
therapeutic measures relate to physical, mental, social and
spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda becomes one of the
oldest systems of health care dealing with both the preventive and
curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way and presents a
close similarity to the WHO's concept of health propounded in the
modern era.
A perusal of its several classical treatises indicate presence
of two schools of Physicians and Surgeons and eight specialties
. These eight disciplines are generally called "
Ashtanga Ayurveda " and are :-
+ Internal Medicine (Kaya Chikitsa)
+ Paediatrics (Kaumar Bhritya)
+ Psychiatry (Bhoot Vidya)
+ Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology (Shalakya)
+ Surgery (Shalya)
+ Toxicology (Agad Tantra)
+ Geriatrics (Rasayana)
+ Eugenics and aphrodisiacs (Vajikarana)
During its early period , it was perhaps the only system of
overall healthcare and medicine which served well the people in
such crucial areas as health, sickness, life and death. It
enjoyed the unquestioned patronage and support of the people and
their rulers. This situation promoted maximally the growth of
this system. Practically all the systematic ground work of
laying down its basic concepts, principles and medicaments took
place during this period of Indian history.
Then followed a long period of medieval history marked by
unsettled political conditions and several invasions from
outside the country when Ayurveda faced utter neglect. Its
growth was stunted, its teaching and training were stopped from
being spread and its monopoly in practice or utilization was
eroded greatly by the officially supported systems. Ayurveda
barely survived because of its native roots and also because the
official systems of medicine could not reach everywhere
particularly in widely scattered and difficult rural areas.
The political situation of the country was destined to change
in favour of freedom from foreign rule. With the awakening of
nationalism and movement for freedom the Indian cultural values
and way of life (including health care and sickness cure
systems) surfaced again. The patriotic zeal of the people, their
leaders and benevolence of the rulers of princely States
initiated the revival of Ayurvedic system of medicine even
before the country got its freedom. In 1916, the Members of
Imperial Legislative Councils pressed the Government to accept
this ancient and indigenous system of Ayurveda for developing it
on scientific basis and for increasing its usefulness. In 1920,
the Indian National Congress demanded Government patronage for
Ayurveda and Provincial Governments began to grant assistance.
The State and Central Governments appointed several committees
to suggest ways and means of rehabilitating this time tested
system in the service of the people and promote its further
growth following modern scientific parameters and methods. As a
result, several States started schools and colleges for training
of competent Ayurvedic practitioners with working knowledge of
modern medicine.
After, the country became free in 1947, the movement for
revival gained additional momentum. The first Health Ministers'
Conference resolved that Ayurveda should be developed and put to
use for providing medicare to the people. In due course of time
this system got official recognition and became a part of the
National Health network of the country. In several ways, the
official health policies, national plans and programs accorded
to it the same status as enjoyed by the dominant Allopathic
system. At present the system is well set to re-orient itself to
modern scientific parameters. Simultaneously, it is well poised
for much greater, effective utilization so as to enable the
country to reach its goals of Health for all and regulate
population growth. In the present situation, Medical Scientists
are researching Ayurveda remedies for lifestyle related
diseases, degenerative and psychosomatic disorders. |
